Genes specifying long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) occupy a large fraction of the genomes of complex organisms. The term 'lncRNAs' encompasses RNA polymerase I (Pol I), Pol II and Pol III transcribed ...RNAs, and RNAs from processed introns. The various functions of lncRNAs and their many isoforms and interleaved relationships with other genes make lncRNA classification and annotation difficult. Most lncRNAs evolve more rapidly than protein-coding sequences, are cell type specific and regulate many aspects of cell differentiation and development and other physiological processes. Many lncRNAs associate with chromatin-modifying complexes, are transcribed from enhancers and nucleate phase separation of nuclear condensates and domains, indicating an intimate link between lncRNA expression and the spatial control of gene expression during development. lncRNAs also have important roles in the cytoplasm and beyond, including in the regulation of translation, metabolism and signalling. lncRNAs often have a modular structure and are rich in repeats, which are increasingly being shown to be relevant to their function. In this Consensus Statement, we address the definition and nomenclature of lncRNAs and their conservation, expression, phenotypic visibility, structure and functions. We also discuss research challenges and provide recommendations to advance the understanding of the roles of lncRNAs in development, cell biology and disease.
Interest in two-dimensional, sheet-like or flake-like carbon forms has expanded beyond monolayer graphene to include related materials with significant variations in layer number, lateral dimension, ...rotational faulting, and chemical modification. Describing this family of “graphene materials” has been causing confusion in the Carbon journal and in the scientific literature as a whole. The international editorial team for Carbon believes that the time has come for a discussion on a rational naming system for two-dimensional carbon forms. We propose here a first nomenclature for two-dimensional carbons that could guide authors toward a more precise description of their subject materials, and could allow the field to move forward with a higher degree of common understanding.
Structure-property relationships of starch components remain a subject of research interest. In recent years, there has been increasing evidence revealing the importance of amylopectin internal ...structure in determining physicochemical properties of starch. The part between the sole reducing end and out branches of amylopectin forms the internal part of the molecule. It contributes to the formation of the amorphous lamellae of the granules.
This mini-review focuses on the impact of amylopectin internal molecular structure on different physicochemical properties of starch. The properties include gelatinization, swelling power, amylose leaching, pasting, retrogradation, and digestibility of starch. The statistical approach to analyze the structure-property relationships of starch is also discussed. Related nomenclatures are described.
Amylopectin with a longer internal chain length tends to give more ordered packing of double helices in the granules with a higher thermal stability. A longer internal chain length of amylopectin also contributes to the formation of recrystallized amylopectin with a more ordered structure and higher thermal stability. The results summarised in this mini-review clearly show that the molecular structure of amylopectin internal part should be considered in order to better understand the complex structure-property relationships of starch components.
•Longer amylopectin internal chain related to more ordered packing of double helices.•Longer amylopectin internal chain related to more efficient recrystallization.•Importance of amylopectin internal chain composition on starch properties discussed.•Related amylopectin nomenclatures described.
•Second- and third-order (multi-way) data and algorithms are reviewed.•Suitable examples of different complexity are provided.•The advantages of multi-way calibration are illustrated.•Multi-way ...analytical figures of merit are discussed.
An introduction to multi-way calibration based on second- and higher-order data generation and processing is provided, with emphasis on practical experimental aspects. After a discussion concerning a proper nomenclature scheme, a suitable classification of the obtainable data, and the general features of the available algorithms and their underlying models, a series of examples is discussed in detail, with the purpose of illustrating the great potentiality of the field for the analytical community. Emphasis is directed toward the most popular multi-way data, i.e., second-order or matrix data, which can be conveniently measured in a variety of instruments. Third-order data are being increasingly studied and are also discussed, along with the less explored field of fourth-order data. The estimation of figures of merit, which analysts need to report during method development, is now sufficiently mature to be provided for the general audience.
Mice are widely used as experimental models for gut microbiome (GM) studies, yet the majority of mouse GM members remain uncharacterized. Here, we report the construction of a mouse gut microbial ...biobank (mGMB) that contains 126 species, represented by 244 strains that have been deposited in the China General Microorganism Culture Collection. We sequence and phenotypically characterize 77 potential new species and propose their nomenclatures. The mGMB includes 22 and 17 species that are significantly enriched in ob/ob and wild-type C57BL/6J mouse cecal samples, respectively. The genomes of the 126 species in the mGMB cover 52% of the metagenomic nonredundant gene catalog (sequence identity ≥ 60%) and represent 93-95% of the KEGG-Orthology-annotated functions of the sampled mouse GMs. The microbial and genome data assembled in the mGMB enlarges the taxonomic characterization of mouse GMs and represents a useful resource for studies of host-microbe interactions and of GM functions associated with host health and diseases.
Gettering in silicon photovoltaics: A review Liu, AnYao; Phang, Sieu Pheng; Macdonald, Daniel
Solar energy materials and solar cells,
January 2022, 2022-01-00, 20220101, Volume:
234
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
A key efficiency-limiting factor in silicon-based photovoltaic (PV) devices is the quality of the silicon material itself. With evolving cell architectures that better address other efficiency-loss ...channels in the device, the final device efficiency becomes increasingly sensitive to the contaminants in the silicon wafer bulk. However, due to cost constraints, silicon materials for PV are inherently less pure and further contamination during device fabrication is commonly found, especially in mass production environments. Metallic impurities are ubiquitous and abundant, and they are strong efficiency-loss channels in the device if not removed. Gettering is the process of removing metallic impurities to a less harmful region of the device, and is therefore an essential aspect of the cell fabrication process. This article presents an up-to-date review of the gettering techniques and processes in silicon solar cells, providing a complete picture of the possible gettering sinks and routes in various cell architectures. The article starts by explaining the common nomenclatures in gettering and summarising recent updates to the solubility and diffusivity data of the common 3d transition metals in silicon. Then the three-step gettering process (release, diffusion, capture) is explained, and its implications for solar-grade cast-grown silicon (in terms of release) and various cell architectures (in terms of diffusion) are discussed. The main focus of the article is to summarise and review the various capture approaches in the context of silicon PV. These include phosphorus diffusion, boron diffusion, selective doping via ion implantation, state-of-the-art polycrystalline-silicon/oxide passivating contact structures, dielectric films (silicon nitride and aluminium oxide), aluminium alloying, surface damaged regions including black silicon, and internal gettering in cast-grown silicon by existing crystallographic defects. Their gettering effects, current understanding of the gettering mechanisms, modelling, improvement strategies, implementation in processing and potential impacts on cell performance are reviewed.
The article deals with some aspects of sustainable development connected with improving its management. The author'sinterpretation of this concept is given, the necessity of managing such development ...is substantiated, and the main tasks of management are formulated. Particular attention is paid to the consideration of various nomenclatures of indicators of sustainable development, including those established by international standard and tothe identification of their advantages and weaknesses.
Abstract
The Genome Taxonomy Database (GTDB) is a taxonomic framework that defines prokaryotic taxa as monophyletic groups in concatenated protein reference trees according to systematic criteria. ...This has resulted in a substantial number of changes to existing classifications (https://gtdb.ecogenomic.org). In the case of union of taxa, GTDB names were applied based on the priority of publication. The division of taxa or change in rank led to the formation of new Latin names above the rank of genus that were only made publicly available via the GTDB website without associated published taxonomic descriptions. This has sometimes led to confusion in the literature and databases. A number of the provisional GTDB names were later published in other studies, while many still lack authorships. To reduce further confusion, here we propose names and descriptions for 329 GTDB-defined prokaryotic taxa, 223 of which are suitable for validation under the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes (ICNP) and 49 under the Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes described from Sequence Data (SeqCode). For the latter, we designated 23 genomes as type material. An additional 57 taxa that do not currently satisfy the validation criteria of either code are proposed as Candidatus.
Provisional names earlier given to 329 GTDB-defined prokaryotic taxa are proposed according to the validation criteria of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes and the SeqCode.